by Bob Velin, USA TODAY Sports

by Bob Velin, USA TODAY Sports

Oscar De La Hoya, the Golden Boy who founded the company named for him that is promoting this weekend's big fight between Floyd Mayweather and Canelo Alvarez, announced Tuesday that he will not attend the fight.

De La Hoya, who has battled alcohol and drug addiction in the past, has checked himself into a treatment center.

In a statement, De La Hoya said, "Canelo Alvarez and I have big fights coming up this weekend. His is in the ring and mine in treatment. I will not be at the fight to cheer Canelo to victory since I have voluntarily admitted myself to a treatment facility.

"I explained this to Canelo, and he understood that my health and long-term recovery from my disease must come first. Thank you for your understanding. I ask for your support during this difficult time and for me and my family."

Alvarez said Tuesday that he supports De La Hoya in his "life battle, his great battle.

Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer said Tuesday that De La Hoya checked himself into the rehab center Monday night.

"I have no idea how long it's going to take, but hopefully he'll be good," Schaefer said. "For somebody who doesn't have that kind of abuse, be it alcohol, drugs, sex, or whatever, it may be difficult to understand.

"But some people who talked to me who have faced similar issues and are clean today explained how difficult it is to beat that disease. This is a constant battle and I think Oscar needs to focus on that constant battle and take care of his family. That is more important than anything else.

"In the meantime, I will be taking care of business as I usually do."

De La Hoya and Mayweather have feuded recently. After De La Hoya picked Alvarez to knock out Mayweather this weekend, the pound-for-pound champion told the Los Angeles Times, "I feel like Oscar couldn't beat the king so he wants to see someone else beat the king.

"Oscar ... likes to run around with this Golden Boy image, which we know really is (false). He's always been jealous of me. I'm the total package."

De La Hoya told the Times recently that he attends recovery meetings six days a week, sometimes twice a day.

Mayweather, who doesn't drink or smoke, said De La Hoya embarrasses himself at public appearances and added, "I wouldn't even show up to the fights if I were him."

Tuesday, however, Mayweather said, "I wish him nothing but the best. Hopefully he will pull through like a true champion."

Mayweather defeated De La Hoya in 2007 in a close fight, which ended up being the biggest pay-per-view seller of all time at 2.4 million buys.